Kvaratskhelia Faces Surgery After ACL Rupture in PSG's Win Over Barcelona

The biggest blow of PSG's night came off the scoreboard. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Tuesday's 4-2 Champions League win over Barcelona, and he will go under the knife. He twisted the knee and was helped off just before the hour mark, unable to put any weight on the leg.

The Georgian's reaction, as reported, was one of disbelief. He asked "why me?" as the scale of the injury became clear, and it is the most serious of the three problems PSG suffered in the match. The club will now have to plan without one of its most dangerous attacking players for what is likely to be a long spell, since ACL recoveries typically take several months even when the operation goes smoothly.

The injury list does not stop with him. Ousmane Dembélé and Marquinhos are also expected to miss a number of weeks, which leaves the squad thinner just as the demands of the season are rising. Coaches often rely on rotation and depth in these moments, and PSG's options in attack and in central defence will be tested over the coming fixtures.

The result was a fine one on the night. PSG came from behind to beat one of Europe's most storied clubs, and the performance showed the quality of the group. But the celebrations were quickly tempered by the sight of Kvaratskhelia being carried off, and the medical updates to come will shape how the rest of the campaign looks for a team that just began to build momentum.